Audi R18 – the next R15

From 2011 forward, new technical regulations prescribing smaller, even more efficient engines will come into force at Le Mans. Audi Sport has already started to work on the successor model of the current R15 TDI under the project name “R18.”

Racecar Engineering Magazine says Audi will drop the current V10 TDI found in the R15 for a V6 TDI setup possibly using a KERS style energy recovery system.

The car would still be LMP1 spec as Audi has always pushed for an outright win at Le Mans and the car is likely to carry the R17 or R18 name depending on DTM racecar development. If Le Mans Live Blog is to be believed, the new machine will get an official unveil on December 10, though there are few details beyond that.